Some of the men and families who were willing to relocate found jobs throughout western Oregon with International Paper, the company that purchased Long-Bell's timber interests, before the Ryderwood operation completely shut down. In 1952, even before Long-Bell sold Ryderwood, the common bond between former residents of this unique town drew them back together to establish what would become an annual reunion.
The picnics started in Eugene, Oregon, and soon after were moved up to Seaquest State Park in southwestern Washington, some years attracting up to 1,200 former residents. In 1956 the pensioners of the new Ryderwood approved the use of their town park for the reunion on the fourth Sunday of every August, where it is still held. The increased activity must be quite a bit like that August in 1945 when the soldiers invaded this little dead-end town. The big difference is that twelve-year-old Nola, who then wished to be an adult, now is one . . . an adult who is looking forward to when she retires in "four more years." But you won't find her settling down in the new, older Ryderwood. Although "it's so quiet and tranquil and scenic," the more urbane Nola says, "I would never live in a place like that again."
In the tradition of the picnic, in the early 1960s a Ryderwood all-class school reunion was instituted. Every four years on the night before the town picnic, the Monticello Hotel in Longview attracts RHS alumni, who pose for a group picture. Because Luther, the event's organizer, is getting up in years and because the crowd inevitably diminishes each year, the 1990 school reunion at the Monticello was rumored to be the last. But probably even the most cautious gambler would bet that as long as they're able, Ryderwood's logging family will continue its yearly migration to the spot at the end of Highway 506.
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This concludes the first part of my college project on Ryderwood. You can read more in my complete writing project, which includes bonus content about Luther and Nola. Also check out the collections of photographs.
The picnics still occur every August.
Luther Fleming passed away in 2007 at the age of 85.
Leroy "Sonny" Merchant passed away in 2012 at the age of 86.
Patsy (Merchant) Gottfryd passed away in 2012 at the age of 80.
Shelley Voie
copyright 1991, 2015, 2018